Burleson itching to get back on field

FILE - In this July 26, 2013 file photo, Detroit Lions receiver Nate Burleson runs through drills during an NFL football training camp in Allen Park, Mich. Burleson and Ryan Broyles appear to be healthy after having season-ending injuries, and the Detroit Lions need them to be because receiver Calvin Johnson needs some help. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

ALLEN PARK — Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson is just itching to get back into action, but it won’t happen on Sunday in Chicago. He has been ruled out for the big NFC North game against the Bears.

Burleson practiced all week and had no pain catching the football. He wears a Kevlar brace to cover his left forearm which was broken in two places in a freak pizza-related accident on Sept. 24.

Burleson said this week that the danger would be if he fell on the forearm. It has to be strong enough to withstand the impact.

The decision, which is not a surprise, was up to the doctors.

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The Lions usually err on the side of caution when it comes to returning an injured player to the field.

Last season in the Oct. 22 loss at Chicago, Burleson broke his leg and missed the rest of the season.

Taking blue to new level

Expect to see more of rookie defensive end Devin Taylor on Sunday at Chicago. Starting right defensive end Ziggy Ansah is doubtful to play with an ankle injury.

Either Taylor or Israel Idonije will start for Ansah.

“He’s played well in every role that we have given him this year,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said of Taylor. “He’s affected games and that’s what we expected when we drafted where we did. When Jason Jones went down, he needed to step up. If we need him to step up more, we think he’s capable of doing that.”

Since he’ll be wearing a helmet, one thing you won’t notice from Taylor is his blue tinted hair. He tried to make it Honolulu blue and came close.

“It’s hard to find blue in stores, you have to mix colors and create it yourself to become that blue,’’ said Taylor, a fourth-round draft pick.

“I did it a little bit because last year when I was at South Carolina I had my hair garnet,’’ Taylor said. “I came here to a new team and said why not.’’

Of course he gets grief from his teammates. That doesn’t bother him.

Ins and outs

Nickel Bill Bentley and right tackle Corey Hilliard were also listed as doubtful on Friday’s injury report.

Like Ansah, they did not practice all week.

Rashean Mathis has practiced this week at nickel to fill in for Bentley. That means rookie Darius Slay should start at corner.

LaAdrian Waddle started at right tackle against the Cowboys two weeks ago and is expected to get the start again on Sunday.

Also off on Friday were running back Reggie Bush (knee) who had a veteran’s rest day. He did the same thing two weeks ago before the Dallas game and 122 combined yards in the win.

Safety Louis Delmas was also out. He never practices on Friday saving his knee for Sundays.

For the Bears, defensive end Shea McClellin, who broke Aaron Rodgers collarbone on Monday night, is doubtful with a hamstring injury. LB Lance Briggs, long snapper Patrick Mannelly and DT Jeremy Ratliff are listed as out on the Bears’ injury report.

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